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"We haven't forgotten the meaning of Christmas." In the end neither has writer/director Chris Carter. Despite the fact that Mulder and Scully are tricked into thinking they've been "shot" by the other and crawl about leaving long bloody slimy trails to the strains of 'Have yourself a merry little Christmas" , this was a lot more merry than we usually get when it comes to X-Files and Christmas. For me, this was just the right blend of creepyness, humor, and chemistry all wrapped up with a bright shiny bow. It's a gift I'll be enjoying for a long time to come.
I've been waiting quite a while for a good haunted house story on the X-Files and it seems I've been waiting forever for an episode with a lot of actual interaction between the dynamic duo. Here I got both. Plus bonus points in that we actually got to see them scared. The whole back and forth between the two of them about being afraid complete with Mulder lighting up his face with a flashlight to spook Scully and her oh-so-Scully admission of "alright I'm afraid, but it's an irrational fear" after a particularly long (even by her standards) rational explanation was a hoot.
In the end, the ghosts did not succeed in their holiday quest because taking a personality trait that does have a kernel of truth to it and stretching it as they do in their analysis of "narcissistic" with "paramasturbatory illusions" Mulder and "co-dependent" and "repressed" Scully does not paint the whole picture of these complex people. Scully is right when she says "you don't know me" to these accusations. While I'm sure Mulder and Scully have their moments of loneliness they are not alone. Their giddy gift exchange was just the right coda to underscore this. There's been a lot of debate about using "famous" actors on the X-Files and my take has always been if the actors are good it will not matter. This episode is a prime example of that. Lily Tomlin and Ed Asner were absolutely delightful in their roles of the malevolent prankster ghosts. I never found their presence distracting and think that the casting was perfection in this case. Tomlin especially was a joy to watch in her scenes with Anderson and Duchovny as she taunted our heroes with lines like "I don't show my hole to just anyone".
The highlight of the episode for me was seeing a freaking Scully so frightened (or as she puts it "a little on edge" ) she can't even draw her gun as she repeatedly barks out that she's armed. When it finally does appear the gun wavers so badly it is unlikely she could hit any target. I also loved the look of utter shock that crossed Scully's face when she thinks Mulder has actually shot her. Duchovny had some nice moments as well with his dramatic retelling of the tale in the car and the occasional giddiness Mulder got at witnessing ghostly things. The behind the scenes folks have to be singled out for this one. Kudos to production designer Corey Kaplan and his crew for building that grand and gorgeous spooky library set that just perfected the mood of this episode. In an episode where the music was purposely noticeable the harpsichordish strains a la many a creepy old movie were the perfect backdrop courtesy of Mark Snow.
Christmas and ghost stories are a long and grand tradition. I've sat through way too many bad remakes of Scrooge on the "very special Christmas episode" of countless television shows. I'm glad that the X-Files took a different approach, giving the audience a present that was both familiar and new complete with a happy ending. When it comes to the X-Files I guess I am a push over for the happy ending. Or maybe I'm just glad to see a holiday season pass without Scully having to have someone die in her family. Whatever. I'm happy. Merry Christmas.
-Well at least the date stamp on this one was easy.
-I loved Scully muttering to herself about not giving in and New Year's resolutions.
-Worst Mulderism since "Detour" : "No actually that was a left cheek sneak." There's no forgetting that Chris Carter can be painfully juvenile at times. I really wonder if he thinks that is funny or clever.
-Frank's Fashion Spot: How funny was this exchange "Mulder, she's wearing my outfit." "How embarrassing." Speaking of that outfit, it did remind me a bit of the movie suit that got left in the Antarctic minus the bee magnet collar. So I liked it.
-I for one really liked the fact that we never got to see what Mulder and Scully got each other for Christmas. Though I must admit the shape of his gift to Scully did make me a little nervous for her...
-I'm trying to figure out if there was some sort of inside joke I'm missing with the name of director "J. Cameron" adorning the grandfather clock.
-Another fine example of bad liar Scully as she explains she has to wrap presents despite the fact her backseat is stacked with already wrapped gifts.
-How funny that Scully has seen enough horror movies to know that pulling up the floorboards is NOT a good idea and Mulder throws rationalism back at her.
Autumn
"If I heard 'Silent Night' one more time I was gonna start
taking hostages."